Last Updated on April 3, 2026 5:28 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
A senior US official has underlined the growing importance of ties between Washington and Dhaka, saying the relationship between the two countries now matters “more than ever”, even as the United States signalled support for Bangladesh in addressing its energy security challenges.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur highlighted the expanding scope of bilateral engagement in areas such as security, trade and governance, while also pointing to shared values as a key foundation of the partnership.
“Today, US-Bangladesh relationship matters more than ever,” Kapur said while speaking about relations between the two countries at a recent programme hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.
In a post on X on Thursday, Kapur said he had attended a National Day reception at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC, where he spoke about the strength of bilateral ties.
“Today, the US-Bangladesh relationship matters more than ever,” he wrote, adding that cooperation in multiple sectors, along with shared values, continues to make both countries “more prosperous and secure”.
Kapur’s remarks come amid sustained diplomatic engagement between the two sides. During his two-day visit to Bangladesh in March, he discussed key US priorities, including expanding market access for American businesses, strengthening cooperation on illegal immigration, and deepening collaboration on regional security and counterterrorism.
The discussions also covered expansion of bilateral trade and investment, stronger security cooperation, and advancement of shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
The latest comments from Kapur coincided with another significant engagement in Washington, where Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman met US energy secretary Chris Wright at the Department of Energy on March 31 to discuss the country’s energy challenges. During the meeting, Khalilur explained the difficulties Bangladesh is facing due to supply chain disruptions and sought US assistance and support to help ensure the country’s energy security.
According to the Bangladesh side, Wright acknowledged the energy challenges currently confronting Bangladesh and expressed Washington’s commitment to support Dhaka during these difficult times.
He said the US would consider Bangladesh’s requests and assured Dhaka that he and his team would work closely with relevant departments of the US government to that end.
The back-to-back engagements reflect the growing importance both countries are placing on broadening cooperation across strategic and economic sectors.